MTs for a DD?

[ajsomp]

So I’m a relatively new 200 series owner. I purchased my ‘13 back in August after upgrading from my 4runner TRD pro. I was a little hesitant since it had 124k miles on it - but maintenance was meticulous and it looked like a new car (with the exception of the nav).

The previous owner put on the TRD wheels and some brand new Falken Wildpeaks right before I picked it up - so I wasn’t in any rush to change them out. Typically I run BFGs, but to date I’ve had no issues. This is my daily, and occasionally my wife will take it. But living in southeastern NC, most of this area is swampy most of the year. My hobbies lend me off-road more than not (hunting, shooting, fishing etc) and while I know I have a capable vehicle, I’m really considering throwing on some mud tires instead of the AT. Just last week I was driving to my typical range and the “wet” field turned soft quick. Thankfully I got myself out no issues (definitely had to turn off all the traction control) but it has me seriously considering some Toyos or BFG MTs.

I really don’t plan on heavily modifying this - I think it’s pretty capable as is and I’ve taken it a lot of places since I’ve got it. But for those of you who have MTs, or moved from ATs on your DD, do you have regrets? I don’t want to rush into getting MTs if I’m sacrificing a bunch of what I like about the current ride and capabilities. Thanks!

 

[tbisaacs]

I love the look and off-road performance of my STT pros but they are a lot to put up with.

I knew that going in and because I don’t daily my LX I was willing to make the compromise. They are heavy, stiff, and hum at most speeds. Still happy with them but will likely go back to an AT.

In you situation above, get some ATs and invest in some self recovery aids like maxtrax, tred pros etc.

 

[bozncsurf]

Maybe consider a hybrid like the Nitto ridge or toyo rt ?

 

[tominboise]

I like M/T tires and the performance they offer off road. I have Hankook Dynapro M/T on my 200 at the moment. I have also run Toyo Open Country M/T on my 80 series and Nitto Grappler M/T on my Chevy Duramax pickup. I don't notice the M/T's on a daily basis, but I am old and close to deaf anymore, so the noise doesn't matter to me, where it might to you. If that's what you want to run, I'd say go for it.

 

[TeCKis300]

Agreed. The R/T, AKA rugged terrain, AKA hybrid tire was made for this. Includes aggressive elements of an M/T tire, with sensibilities of an A/T tire.

Notable ones on the market
- Toyo Open Country R/T
- Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac
- Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx
- Nitto Ridge Grappler

The Duratrac's some consider an A/T, but is also aggressive enough to fit ouside of the typical A/T set.

Then you've got the both feet in M/Ts.

​

 

[300blk]

BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

BRUMRUMRUMRUMRUM

WOOBWOOBWOOBWOOB

 

[PhuckItImDone]

Like most problems, turning the music up will help.

 

[ajsomp]

Agreed. The R/T, AKA rugged terrain, AKA hybrid tire was made for this. Includes aggressive elements of an M/T tire, with sensibilities of an A/T tire.

Notable ones on the market
- Toyo Open Country R/T
- Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac
- Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx
- Nitto Ridge Grappler

The Duratrac's some consider an A/T, but is also aggressive enough to fit ouside of the typical A/T set.

Then you've got the both feet in M/Ts.

​

I hadn’t considered those, I suppose I should. Considering my off-road trips are probably only like 30-40% of my driving. I’ve probably really only thought if ATs can’t do it, I’d probably need MTs. I just hated MTs on my jeep daily driving- but like most issues I had I just assumed it was the jeep.

 

[TeCKis300]

What I can't answer for is whether R/Ts will meet your expectations as I don't live near mud country. As I understand it, mud is unforgiving and sometimes nothing short of real M/Ts will do the trick. Though, that may mean they may not meet expectations onroad?

 

[afgman786]

I hadn’t considered those, I suppose I should. Considering my off-road trips are probably only like 30-40% of my driving. I’ve probably really only thought if ATs can’t do it, I’d probably need MTs. I just hated MTs on my jeep daily driving- but like most issues I had I just assumed it was the jeep.

The ridge grapplers would be a good compromise. I went wheeling a month ago with someone running ridge grapplers (I have KM3s) and I was shocked with how his tires were clearing better than my km3s at lower speeds and the way they handled in the mud we got into. His tires were also larger so I figured that might have played a factor, but still very impressed.

 

[MTKID]

Would the Kenda Klever R/T also be a hybrid design worth considering? I’m still a fan of the tall/narrow option offered by this tire and the value of it but I have no personal experience with it.

 

[grinchy]

I also think the kenda r/t a good hybrid option, along with all the tires listed above.

 

[ikarus]

The worst part about dailying mud tires in my opinion is watching your beautiful $1500 set of tires slowly get worn down by freeway driving...

I daily drove toyo MTs on my 100 and they were actually great all around, even not the worst in snow. Now with my Tacoma I have a street set of wheels and tires and an offroad set and I just swap them out once a month for offroad trips. Makes more sense on a Tacoma vs a cruiser though, since I can make 20 mpg on highway tires if I’m careful.

 

[bloc]

Look into the wet weather and especially snow/ice (if it applies to you) drawbacks of MTs before pulling the trigger. The KM2s I had on a previous truck were great off road, and as expected great in the mud.. but on simple rainy local roads, they were piss poor.

This may be something you can drive around, but I wouldn't put a loved one in a vehicle that might need to make emergency maneuvers, and do so poorly because of the traction levels.

 

[ajsomp]

The worst part about dailying mud tires in my opinion is watching your beautiful $1500 set of tires slowly get worn down by freeway driving...

I daily drove toyo MTs on my 100 and they were actually great all around, even not the worst in snow. Now with my Tacoma I have a street set of wheels and tires and an offroad set and I just swap them out once a month for offroad trips. Makes more sense on a Tacoma vs a cruiser though, since I can make 20 mpg on highway tires if I’m careful.

Yeah it’s sounding less like a good idea. I’m off-road too frequently to do that, but still a lot of highway driving in between.
Time to research some hybrid tires

 

[4wheelgreg]

I'm running the Goodyear 265 dura tracs on a Tacoma daily driver not bad but think there is a better tire for the LC , I do like the Kenda or the ridge grappler .

 

[Willy beamin]

Ive been running 37” KM3’s on my 80 for several thousand miles in everything but deep snow. Im liking the traction they provide and the noise is less than i expected. Must be an update over thr KM2’s and the wet travtion issues stated in the post above

 

[bloc]

Ive been running 37” KM3’s on my 80 for several thousand miles in everything but deep snow. Im liking the traction they provide and the noise is less than i expected. Must be an update over thr KM2’s and the wet travtion issues stated in the post above

Thing is I think they still wouldn’t compare to most AT tires.

 

[Madtiger]

I ran the first gen Firestone Destination M/T as a daily driver on my previous vehicle. I liked it. Not much noise. Ok in rain. Firestone now has second Gen out. I liked them because they have 3-ply sidewall with reasonable weight.

 

[TLC2013]

Would the Kenda Klever R/T also be a hybrid design worth considering? I’m still a fan of the tall/narrow option offered by this tire and the value of it but I have no personal experience with it.

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I have now put a couple thousand miles on my Kenda Klever Rts. So far they have been excellent off road and their on road manners are superb considering the aggressive tread pattern. MPGs have been the same as my previous E rated all terrains. Road noise is slightly more then the general grabber ATXs which were extremely quiet and nearly as quiet as Michelin Defenders.